Pine trees feature needles that cluster in groups of two, three or five and jet outward from the branches, whereas spruce and fir trees feature needles that are individually attached to the branches. Whether it’s a pine or a spruce we bet it would look good and do good in your yard. The needles easily roll between your finger tips. — Kristina (Tazeka) Jun 29, 2017. . As I said, both of these trees are evergreen conifers. Photo by Matt Suwak. Furthermore, pine cones are woody with a rigid exterior, while spruce cones are thinner and more flexible. Whether it’s a pine or a spruce we bet it would look good and do good in your yard. Individual spruce needles attach to branches via a short, wooden, peg-like structure (inset). Any fresher coniferous essential oils like pine, spruce, and fir can serve as a substitute. Pine leaves are acicular (long, needle-like) and spruce and fir leaves are linear. This grouping of species stretches across the northern regions of the USA. Because spruce needles grow from small woody pegs, spruce branches are rough and jaggy. In this comparison guide of whitewood vs pine, we are going to point out all the existing differences between them. Female cones of pine, spruce, and fir start development pointing upward. I live in the UK and cant get White Spruce oil. ... As Jim says, consult with Richard. We don’t want to say you’ve been lied to your whole life but…the cones that trees produce are not necessarily called pinecones. Mar 26, 2017. These cones are built from scales attached to a center stalk – these scales are what can help you differentiate between a pine cone and a spruce cone. canr.msu.edu/news/pine_spruce_or_fir_getting_to_know_michigan_evergreen_trees (Accessed 11-8-2018). Which oil can I use in its place? Evergreens are usually easy to spot and conifers (trees that bear cones) are even easier to spot (especially when it’s winter!). Pine (Pinus spp. Pine. Pine has broad grain lines that wander, making it far weaker than fir. Mature pine and spruce cones are pendulant or hang downward from their point of attachment to the branch. I think (maybe) the picture on the right is a white pine? Living in Michigan, we have varieties of fir, spruce and pine. Abies fraseri. 494 129 5. CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. Pine Trees. Michigan State University Extension recommends gardeners start by looking closely at the needles Except cypress, all the other trees mentioned in the question belong to same family, “pinaceae”. These needles are especially unique among this trio of trees. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our. The soft wood between the grain lines shrinks and expands, making the wood cup or twist. Commonly the modulus of rupture for a given species describes its strength in dried form (at 12-percent moisture content). To the casual observer, these trees look similar, but they belong to different genera. Fir trees are not nearly as common in Ohio as spruce and pine. Fir needles are flat and fat (think FFF). Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. It will grow in poor, dry soils. However, they are often grown as Christmas trees. Pinecone scales are woody in nature, with a rigid feel. It boasts attractive … Each type of tree has advantages and disadvantages, the following list will help you better understand your options. Balsam fir has long been a preferred species for many consumers because of its strong Christmas tree scent. Fir, spruce and pine trees are all evergreen trees. Pines have slender needles (leaves) arranged in bundles of two, three or five with a permanent or deciduous papery wrap or sheath at their bases called a fascicle (Fig. Loblolly Pine | Pinus taeda Of the 125 species that exist, most are hardy and typically handle a range of climates. As a result, pine cones tend to be more rigid than spruce cones. are some of the most well-known evergreens. The Fraser fir is considered by many to be the perfect holiday tree. Balsam fir. Its narrow form allows it to occupy a variety of yard spaces, and over time its crown of attractive green needles spread out to provide shade below. Spruce needles easily roll between one’s fingers and have a distinctive square (four-sided) shape. Loblolly Pine | Pinus taeda The loblolly pine is a relatively fast-growing evergreen known for its straight trunk, upright form and distinctive bark. (2018). CFAES Diversity  |  Nondiscrimination notice  |  Site Map. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. CFAES COVID-19 Resources:   Safe and Healthy Buckeyes   |   COVID-19 Hub   |   CFAES Calendar. And yet, it is very important to be able to identify these trees to understand where they will grow well, how to take good care of them, and when needed, how to diagnose why they might be ailing. Figure 2. Accessibility Accommodation. Always grow in clusters from a single origin point on a branch. True pine trees will have needles in clusters of two, three, or five. These characteristics include position in which the mature cone is held, flexibility of the cone, and whether the cone remains intact at maturity. Concolor fir . On true firs the cones stand up. Spruce jechols (Structural) (OP) 25 Aug 05 09:27. Furthermore, pine cones are woody with a rigid … Figure 3. Firs also have needles attached individually to the branches. Strength: Douglas Fir vs. This site designed and maintained by CFAES Marketing and Communications. Copyright © 2019, The Ohio State University, Curtis E. Young, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Van Wert County, ©  2020 The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, canr.msu.edu/news/pine_spruce_or_fir_getting_to_know_michigan_evergreen_trees, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 2120 Fyffe Road | Room 3 Ag Admin Bldg. forestry.ohiodnr.gov/pine (Accessed 11-8-2018). (2000). Dirr, M. (2009). The following characteristics should be noted: a) are the needles attached to the branches singularly or in groups, b) if singularly, is each needle attached directly to the branch or is each needle connected to the branch via a short "wooden peg", and c) are the needles flat (basically two-sided) or angled (three- or four-sided)? If you see one piece of each side by side, whitewood will typically have more knots than pine. ), and fir (Abies spp.) Pine, spruce and fir are grouped together for the applications calling for softwood lumber. Photo credit: Bert Cregg and Jill O’Donnell, MSU. These characteristics are detailed in many field guides for field identification of trees. In contrast, spruce cones have thinner scales than pinecones, which gives them a more flexible feel. Fraser Fir. DeltaMan. Not all conifers that produce cones are pines. This characteristic of having needles in bundles is unique to pines and immediately separates them from the spruces and firs, which present their needles on the branches singularly. Spruce. © 2020 Casey Trees. This is in contrast to pine and fir branches that tend to be smooth. forestry.ohiodnr.gov/fir (Accessed 11-8-2018). Columbus, Ohio 43210 Pine. Leaves: Pine needles are longer than the average fir … YES to the adding of Pinon Pine. Post Nov 18, 2016 #1 2016-11-18T02:48. Pinecone scales are woody in nature, with a rigid feel. We work with families and children, farmers and businessowners, community leaders and elected officials to build better lives, better businesses and better communities to make Ohio great. The IBC provides reduction criteria if the specific gravity of the lumber is less than that for SYP or Douglas Fir. Ornamentals, Landscape and Turf Systems, Michigan State University Extension. This tree is available through our, , RiverSmart Homes. OSU Extension Bulletin 700, OSU Extension Publishing, The Ohio State University. Fir cones on the other hand r… 494 129 5. Fraser fir. Many species of pine have cone scales that are armed with spines or prickles. Pine trees feature needles that cluster in groups of two, three or five and jet outward from the branches, whereas spruce and fir trees feature needles that are individually attached to the branches. The Virginia pine Requires full sun where it may reach 20 to 30 feet in height in approximately 40 years. Some of these characteristics include needle length, needle color, bark characteristics, and additional cone characteristics. The examples being Virginia pine (two-needled), loblolly pine (three-needled), and eastern white pine (five-needled). Fir has little soft grain. The most popular Christmas tree species in the country these days, the Fraser fir is actually a subspecies of the balsam fir, though they don't grow in the same places. Common spruces in Ohio include Colorado spruce, Norway spruce, and white spruce (including dwarf Alberta spruce). Pine, spruce and fir. (2018). Another spruce sometimes found in arboreta, parks, and cemeteries is Serbian spruce (it is also becoming a more regular choice for landscapes). Spruce and fir trees have their needles attached individually to the branches. Evergreens may look alike for most people. | Columbus, Ohio 43210, Figure 1. Homeowners, landowners, and consumers often get these trees confused and even some well-versed gardeners have difficulties keeping them straight. extensionpubs.osu.edu. Fir cones are seldom found intact on the ground. Pine needles are produced in bundles or clusters of two, three, or five needles with papery fascicle at base (inset). We don’t want to say you’ve been lied to your whole life but…the cones that trees produce are not necessarily called. Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses. College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Fir tree needles also grow individually on the branch but the needles are soft and flat and don’t roll between your fingertips. ), spruce (Picea spp. Below are commonly found pines, spruces, and firs in Ohio. It will grow in poor, dry soils. These characteristics include position in which the mature cone is held, flexibility of the cone, and whether the cone remains intact at maturity. DeltaMan. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program. Sometimes pine wood is sold as whitewood in some regions. Sydnor, T. D. and W. F. Cowen. Things can get a bit trickier if you are not comparing equal grades of wood, though. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our, Often used as a bonsai specimen, the Virginia pine is a unique and attractive tree with a sinuous trunk and orange-red bark. Champaign, Ill: Stipes Pub. The western species within the grouping are Engelmann Spruce, Sitka Spruce, and Lodgepole Pine. The base of the fir needle is expanded into a round base giving the needle the appearance of a suction-cup tipped dart. Due to SYP’s high weight and difficulty nailing, some of the lighter weight Canadian species (spruce and fir) are preferred for 2x4 and 2x6 studs for house walls. They possess physical characteristics that can help distinguish between them. The following guide, written by Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator Mary Wilson and … Virginia Pine | Pinus virginiana Friendly fir, spikey spruce. Pine cones from a Virginia pine (. Pines (Pinus spp.) This is an easy tip to remember: on pine trees, needles are attached and attached to the branches in clusters; on spruce trees, needles are attached individually. Pine cone scales tend to be thicker and woodier than spruce cone scales which are more papery in texture. Here are some tips to tell pine and spruce trees apart. It is fantastic! Conifer images are of Colorado blue spruce (, Figure 5. Spruce needles are spiny and sharp (think SSS). However, pine trees have fewer branches, so they tend to look a bit more sparse than firs or spruces. The most popular species fall into three categories; pine, spruce, or fir. 2120 Fyffe Road | Room 3 Ag Admin Bldg. Loblolly pines need full sun and will attain a height of 40 feet in about 30 – 40 years. (pines) Picea spp. Photos by author. Loblolly pines need full sun and will attain a height of 40 feet in about 30 – 40 years. The branches of a pine tree don’t grow in as thickly as on spruce or fir trees; they can be … Fir. But drilling down, how to identify conifers further? Pine Trees. With so much to choose from, let’s focus on two common conifers – the pine tree vs spruce tree – and how each one might be of interest to you. The length, sharpness, and persistence of these spines can help to identify the pines. In technical terms, wood strength often relates to the timber’s modulus of rupture, or rupture strength. Cones hang down from the branches. The loblolly pine is a relatively fast-growing evergreen known for its straight trunk, upright form and distinctive bark. Wilson, M. (2013). These “wooden pegs” remain behind after the needle drops. Pine and spruce are so closely related in strength and uses with fir that they are often milled, distributed and marketed generically as spruce-pine-fir, or SP&F. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu. On true pine trees and larches, needles are arranged and attached to the branches in bundles or clusters with two, three, or five needles per bunch, however, the needles of other conifers including spruce, fir, and hemlock trees are not grouped in these clusters and thus they can only be identified by other traits of the needles, branches, and bark. Thank you — Jean Kitchin. Be warned though, the length of cones can vary from tree to tree, so the length is not a reliable way to indicate the species of conifer you’re trying to identify. Fir needles give off a citrusy scent when crushed, which is a desirable aroma for candles. Beyond the needle characteristics of pines, spruces, and firs, the next characteristic for identification are the female cones or strobili that each genera produces. These are all conifers which are usually referred as “Christmas trees”. To aid in the task of evergreen identification, Curtis Young, Extension Educator in Van Wert County, recently published an OSU FactSheet titled, “Is It Pine, Spruce, or Fir?” Curtis covers three types, or genera, of evergreens that one might encounter in Ohio. Beyond the needle characteristics of pines, spruces, and firs, the next characteristic for identification are the female cones or strobili that each genera produces. (fir) Phone: 614-292-6181, © 2020 | 2120 Fyffe Road | Room 3 Ag Admin Bldg. | Columbus, Ohio 43210 | 614-292-6181 For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility. Common pines in Ohio include Austrian pine, eastern white pine, loblolly pine, mugo (Swiss mountain) pine, pitlolly pine, red pine, Scotch pine, and Virginia pine. The thickness or woodiness of the scales of the cones determines how flexible the cone may be. The Blue Spruce is a tree that, as Leyden puts it, "has a really great shape." For a more detailed list of popular Christmas trees click here. It has dark green needles and excellent form. Concolor fir have longer needles that may be as blue as a blue spruce. The loblolly pine is a relatively fast-growing evergreen known for its straight trunk, upright form and distinctive bark. I’ve worked with many different types of pine throughout every one of my 48 years since I picked up my first piece of Russian redwood to carve a boat from. However, that is not to say that your project will turn out poorly. Collectively, they are called conifers because of their cone production. Spruces have needles attached individually to the branches via short wooden, peg-like structures called pulvini (Fig. Those three include: Pinus spp. The Virginia pine Requires full sun where it may reach 20 to 30 feet in height in approximately 40 years. Spruce needles tend to be stiff and sharply pointed making them somewhat unpleasant to work around when doing yardwork, pruning or removal, or decorating. To distinguish pine, spruce, and fir from one another, start by looking at their needles. Fir cones on the other hand remain upright or erect (figures 5-7). One of the first and easiest ways that experienced woodworkers can tell the difference between whitewood and pine is the number of knots that it has. There are now 10 species that make up the SPFs grouping with the eastern half containing Red, Black, and White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Balsam Fir, Jack Pine, and Red Pine. All Rights Reserved. They have such thin, feathery leaves (needles), so that's my guess. On true pine trees, the needles are arranged and attached to the branches in clusters of two (red pine group), three (yellow pine group), or five (white pine group) needles per cluster. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program. Basis For Comparison: Spruce Vs Fir Vs Pine. 3). Be warned though, the length of cones can vary from tree to tree, so the length is not a reliable way to indicate the species of conifer you’re trying to identify. SPF – Douglas fir, spruce, or white pine SYP – Southern yellow pine SYF – Pine and fir. Not all conifers that produce cones are pines. Pine trees have leaves that come in bundles called fascicles; ponderosa pine have two and bristlecone pine have 5! (2018). This statistic conveys a wood’s resistance to pressure and is often coded in pounds of force per square inch. Unless you are a well-experienced person in wood, it’s hard to tell the difference. A pine floor that is labeled as a C & Better … The most popular trees on his farm are the Fraser Fir, the Balsam Fir and the Blue Spruce. Fir needles are soft, flat (two-sided) and cannot be rolled between one’s fingers. based on my experience, the SYP is stable as long as it's protected during construction. When the needle is pulled off the branch or is naturally shed, a small, circular leaf scar is left behind. At maturity, the scales of pine and spruce remain attached to the central stalk and the entire cone frequently falls to the ground intact after most of the winged seeds are dispersed from between the scales. Non-Profit Web Design and Development by New Media Campaigns. Conifers are commonly found growing in Ohio landscapes and several species are used as Christmas trees. The scales and seeds of fir cones break loose and crumble away from the central stalk while it is still attached to the tree. Unlike the fir and spruce trees, a pine tree has needles that grow in bundles – you can typically see three to five needles bunched together on an upturned pine tree branch. Spruce vs. Fir – Trick #2 Look At The Cones. Most pine and spruce conifer species tend to have upturned branches. Female cones of pine, spruce, and fir start development pointing upward. Some trees are multi-toned, like the Fraser Fir with dark green tips and silver undersides and the Blue Spruce with blue green and silvery needles. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. As such, people always confuse one conifer for the other. You can spot the knots on a particular board without much trouble. The "leaves" of conifers are of course their needles. For instance, the Silverado Slim has medium green tips, while the Scotch Pine has a combination of dark and light green foliage. The exception to this is a Douglas Fir. I am using white pine and feel safe using it, at a greatly reduced price. (spruce) Abies spp. The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA. Additional needle characteristics (e.g., needle length, sharpness, flexibility, scent, and color) are needed when separating tree species from one another within the genera (pines, spruces, and firs). Here, we’ll be making the basic comparisons between these three varieties based on the needles, cones & branches, bark & growth habit as well as needle drop. Common conifers: Austrian pine (. Often used as a bonsai specimen, the Virginia pine is a unique and attractive tree with a sinuous trunk and orange-red bark. These cones are built from scales attached to a center stalk – these scales are what can help you differentiate between a pine cone and a spruce cone. Balsam fir . 2). Like deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves when it’s cold), conifers can be identified by their leaves, which are not leaves at all, but needles! However, fir needles lack pegs and thus the branches are not rough after the needles are shed. Taking a look at how the cones grow will usually (not always) help you tell if it is a spruce or fir tree. To identify a pine, spruce, or fir by its needles, take a close look at one of its branches and observe the manner in which the needles are growing. Spruce. Pine, Spruce and Fir. Ohio Trees. Pine. are all types, or genera, of medium to tall (60-200 feet), evergreen, needle-bearing, cone-producing trees that have a conical or pyramidal shape. Its narrow form allows it to occupy a variety of yard spaces, and over time its crown of attractive green needles spread out to provide shade below. Both the wood are very similar to each other and therefore, the confusion exists. That means that they both reproduce by making cones, not flowers. Evergreen trees provide shade, privacy, and year-round interest. Pine, spruce or fir: Getting to know Michigan evergreen trees. Additional, more detailed characteristics are used to separate the different species of these three groups of coniferous evergreens. This branch growth helps to distinguish them from conifers like firs as their branches are usually downward turned. Spruces retain their needles for four to 10 years before shedding them. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. I cut my own boards and used the same 2" (actual 50mm!) We connect with people in all stages of life, from young children to older adults. Other pines that are sometimes found in arboreta, parks, and cemeteries include Ponderosa pine, pitch pine, shortleaf pine, Jack pine, Korean pine, Himalayan pine, lacebark pine, and Japanese red pine. In contrast, spruce cones have thinner scales than pinecones, which gives them a more flexible feel. Mature pine and spruce cones are pendulant or hang downward from their point of attachment to the branch. If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content request accommodation here. Back to list of tree species. The needles are soft to the touch and can be very long; the longest pine needles grow to a whopping 16 inches! If you do not see these markers, it is still possible that you are not purchasing whitewood that comes from the tulip tree. Evergreen trees provide shade, privacy, and year-round interest. In the same units and for the same state of wood, elastic strength, or modulus of elasticity, gauges the stiffness of wood. The most common firs in Ohio include balsam fir (including Canaan fir), Fraser fir, and white fir. Cypress belongs to the family cupressaceae. Soutern Yellow Pine vs. For technical support please contact the CFAES Helpdesk. forestry.ohiodnr.gov/spruce (Accessed 11-8-2018). Cones consist of scales attached to a central stalk. When the needles are shed, the pegs remain attached to the branches making the spruce branches feel rough after the needles are gone.